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Lake Okeechobee Fishing Report: Bass, Crappie, and Trophy Lunkers Dominate the Big O
Good morning from Lake Okeechobee, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, May 2nd, 2025 fishing report.
Dawn cracked at 6:41 am today and we’ll see the sun set at 7:56 pm. The weather is classic May on the Big O—expect temperatures rising into the low to mid 80s with light winds out of the southeast and mostly clear skies. We’ve had a dry spring, and the water level’s around 12.5 feet and slowly dropping, so be careful out there navigating, especially near the grass beds and rocky areas. As always, when in doubt, stick to the main channels or get yourself a local guide to show you the safe routes[1][2][4].
Fish activity has been red-hot, especially for bass and crappie. Bass fishing’s been outstanding this week, with most anglers catching 50 to 100 fish a day. There’s been plenty of 5- to 8-pound bass caught, and bigger ones are still out there—Lake Okeechobee continues to put up TrophyCatch lunkers over 8 pounds, with dozens breaking the double-digit mark this year[2][4]. Bass are active along the outside edges of the vegetation as water levels drop and the fish pull out of the marsh. Target the rim canal, the west wall, and along Bird Island, as well as up north near Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar[2][4].
The best lures right now are swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that imitate shad—fish are feeding heavy with shad running. Plastics like creature baits, senkos, and flukes rigged weedless are great for flipping and pitching into the thicker grass. If you want to go old school, nothing beats a big golden shiner under a float for those stubborn giants[2][4]. Crappie action has also been sizzling, with some boats boating 100 to 150 fish days, including slabs up to two pounds. Small jigs tipped with minnows are the ticket if you’re after specks[5].
Recent fishing trips around the lake have reported not just bass and crappie but also some snook action out of the nearby rivers, and even the odd trophy jack crevalle for a real fight. Folks are consistently happy with local guides who get you on the fish and keep you safe—always a good call especially if you don’t know your way around all the hazards[5].
For hot spots, try the outside grass lines near Clewiston, around the dynamite holes close to Ritta Island, and north to Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar. The west wall and bird island are also producing solid numbers. Stick to early morning and late afternoon for the best bite as the water warms up in the afternoon.
Tight lines out there, and if you hook into one of those Okeechobee giants, remember to snap a photo for the TrophyCatch program. Stay safe and enjoy the best of what Florida fishing has to offer.
Dawn cracked at 6:41 am today and we’ll see the sun set at 7:56 pm. The weather is classic May on the Big O—expect temperatures rising into the low to mid 80s with light winds out of the southeast and mostly clear skies. We’ve had a dry spring, and the water level’s around 12.5 feet and slowly dropping, so be careful out there navigating, especially near the grass beds and rocky areas. As always, when in doubt, stick to the main channels or get yourself a local guide to show you the safe routes[1][2][4].
Fish activity has been red-hot, especially for bass and crappie. Bass fishing’s been outstanding this week, with most anglers catching 50 to 100 fish a day. There’s been plenty of 5- to 8-pound bass caught, and bigger ones are still out there—Lake Okeechobee continues to put up TrophyCatch lunkers over 8 pounds, with dozens breaking the double-digit mark this year[2][4]. Bass are active along the outside edges of the vegetation as water levels drop and the fish pull out of the marsh. Target the rim canal, the west wall, and along Bird Island, as well as up north near Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar[2][4].
The best lures right now are swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that imitate shad—fish are feeding heavy with shad running. Plastics like creature baits, senkos, and flukes rigged weedless are great for flipping and pitching into the thicker grass. If you want to go old school, nothing beats a big golden shiner under a float for those stubborn giants[2][4]. Crappie action has also been sizzling, with some boats boating 100 to 150 fish days, including slabs up to two pounds. Small jigs tipped with minnows are the ticket if you’re after specks[5].
Recent fishing trips around the lake have reported not just bass and crappie but also some snook action out of the nearby rivers, and even the odd trophy jack crevalle for a real fight. Folks are consistently happy with local guides who get you on the fish and keep you safe—always a good call especially if you don’t know your way around all the hazards[5].
For hot spots, try the outside grass lines near Clewiston, around the dynamite holes close to Ritta Island, and north to Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar. The west wall and bird island are also producing solid numbers. Stick to early morning and late afternoon for the best bite as the water warms up in the afternoon.
Tight lines out there, and if you hook into one of those Okeechobee giants, remember to snap a photo for the TrophyCatch program. Stay safe and enjoy the best of what Florida fishing has to offer.
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By Quiet. PleaseGood morning from Lake Okeechobee, this is Artificial Lure with your Friday, May 2nd, 2025 fishing report.
Dawn cracked at 6:41 am today and we’ll see the sun set at 7:56 pm. The weather is classic May on the Big O—expect temperatures rising into the low to mid 80s with light winds out of the southeast and mostly clear skies. We’ve had a dry spring, and the water level’s around 12.5 feet and slowly dropping, so be careful out there navigating, especially near the grass beds and rocky areas. As always, when in doubt, stick to the main channels or get yourself a local guide to show you the safe routes[1][2][4].
Fish activity has been red-hot, especially for bass and crappie. Bass fishing’s been outstanding this week, with most anglers catching 50 to 100 fish a day. There’s been plenty of 5- to 8-pound bass caught, and bigger ones are still out there—Lake Okeechobee continues to put up TrophyCatch lunkers over 8 pounds, with dozens breaking the double-digit mark this year[2][4]. Bass are active along the outside edges of the vegetation as water levels drop and the fish pull out of the marsh. Target the rim canal, the west wall, and along Bird Island, as well as up north near Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar[2][4].
The best lures right now are swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that imitate shad—fish are feeding heavy with shad running. Plastics like creature baits, senkos, and flukes rigged weedless are great for flipping and pitching into the thicker grass. If you want to go old school, nothing beats a big golden shiner under a float for those stubborn giants[2][4]. Crappie action has also been sizzling, with some boats boating 100 to 150 fish days, including slabs up to two pounds. Small jigs tipped with minnows are the ticket if you’re after specks[5].
Recent fishing trips around the lake have reported not just bass and crappie but also some snook action out of the nearby rivers, and even the odd trophy jack crevalle for a real fight. Folks are consistently happy with local guides who get you on the fish and keep you safe—always a good call especially if you don’t know your way around all the hazards[5].
For hot spots, try the outside grass lines near Clewiston, around the dynamite holes close to Ritta Island, and north to Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar. The west wall and bird island are also producing solid numbers. Stick to early morning and late afternoon for the best bite as the water warms up in the afternoon.
Tight lines out there, and if you hook into one of those Okeechobee giants, remember to snap a photo for the TrophyCatch program. Stay safe and enjoy the best of what Florida fishing has to offer.
Dawn cracked at 6:41 am today and we’ll see the sun set at 7:56 pm. The weather is classic May on the Big O—expect temperatures rising into the low to mid 80s with light winds out of the southeast and mostly clear skies. We’ve had a dry spring, and the water level’s around 12.5 feet and slowly dropping, so be careful out there navigating, especially near the grass beds and rocky areas. As always, when in doubt, stick to the main channels or get yourself a local guide to show you the safe routes[1][2][4].
Fish activity has been red-hot, especially for bass and crappie. Bass fishing’s been outstanding this week, with most anglers catching 50 to 100 fish a day. There’s been plenty of 5- to 8-pound bass caught, and bigger ones are still out there—Lake Okeechobee continues to put up TrophyCatch lunkers over 8 pounds, with dozens breaking the double-digit mark this year[2][4]. Bass are active along the outside edges of the vegetation as water levels drop and the fish pull out of the marsh. Target the rim canal, the west wall, and along Bird Island, as well as up north near Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar[2][4].
The best lures right now are swim jigs, crankbaits, and jerkbaits that imitate shad—fish are feeding heavy with shad running. Plastics like creature baits, senkos, and flukes rigged weedless are great for flipping and pitching into the thicker grass. If you want to go old school, nothing beats a big golden shiner under a float for those stubborn giants[2][4]. Crappie action has also been sizzling, with some boats boating 100 to 150 fish days, including slabs up to two pounds. Small jigs tipped with minnows are the ticket if you’re after specks[5].
Recent fishing trips around the lake have reported not just bass and crappie but also some snook action out of the nearby rivers, and even the odd trophy jack crevalle for a real fight. Folks are consistently happy with local guides who get you on the fish and keep you safe—always a good call especially if you don’t know your way around all the hazards[5].
For hot spots, try the outside grass lines near Clewiston, around the dynamite holes close to Ritta Island, and north to Buckhead Ridge and Kings Bar. The west wall and bird island are also producing solid numbers. Stick to early morning and late afternoon for the best bite as the water warms up in the afternoon.
Tight lines out there, and if you hook into one of those Okeechobee giants, remember to snap a photo for the TrophyCatch program. Stay safe and enjoy the best of what Florida fishing has to offer.